Winter Park Ski Resort | Top Two in the USA

I found the UK publication Independent News and Media Limited “The 50 Best Places to Ski This Winter” list while Googling around and our little humble hill here in Winter Park is the #2 US resort on the list. Vail, that behemoth, comes in at #9 and the next US resort on the list is Winter Park at #43. In fact, there are only 4 US resorts on the top 50 list and Winter Park is right there hanging just above Heavenly and a couple before Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Damn, those Europeans know what they are talking about when it comes US skiing. Check out their little blurb about the Winter Park/Mary Jane Resort:

“Huge snowfalls and plenty of fresh powder make the unpretentious town of Winter Park in Colorado, with its world-class mountains, a magnet for lovers of snow-sports, whether boarding, downhill or cross- country skiing. Cross-country skiers will find plenty of ski areas, all with generally excellent snow and a total of over 125 miles of well groomed trails. Tours into the back-country add to the variety of terrain and for many, Winter Park is an all round world class resort.”

Now that is the press that Winter Park is due. No we don’t have the disco bars, trinket stores and salt water taffy outlets that some of the more popular big resorts have but we do have the best snow around and skiing that makes your thighs burn. And lets not forget about the friendly Colorado locals attitude that pervades Winter Park.

The top five in the list goes:

Les Gets, France

St. Anton, Austria

Borovets, Bulgaria

Kravec, Slovenia

Banff, Canada

I have not been to any of these resorts but they are now on my list. It is very interesting because US top ski resort lists usually have a #1 and #2 of Vail and Whistler/Blackcolmb. I guess those Europeans have different way of seeing it. I’m ready to listen though if they can see through all the sales speak and come up with Winter Park as the #2 US ski resort.